Switzerland: immigration

How many asylum applications does Switzerland receive?

1,896 asylum applications were made in Switzerland in August 2026, 13.2% fewer than in August 2025, according to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). In the first eight months of 2026 there were 13,545 applications, 16.9% fewer than a year earlier. The SEM now expects about 22,000 (plus or minus 2,000) applications in 2026, down from its January forecast of 25,000.

The largest groups in August were from Afghanistan (389), Algeria (262) and Eritrea (256). 361 of the applications were secondary applications, such as births, family reunification or repeat applications. In August the SEM decided 2,328 cases at first instance and granted asylum to 565 people. The SEM's asylum statistics page holds the monthly and annual reports.

Official sources: State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · asylum statistics page

How many foreigners live in Switzerland?

2,528,100 foreign nationals lived in Switzerland at the end of 2025, 28% of the permanent resident population of 9,127,100, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The foreign population grew by 48,200 (1.9%) in the year, and the Swiss population by 27,900 (0.4%).

The permanent resident population counts people who live in Switzerland for at least a year, so it excludes asylum seekers in the procedure and short-term residents. Foreign nationals include people born in Switzerland who have not naturalised, which is one reason the share is high compared with many countries.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO)

What is net migration to Switzerland?

Net migration to Switzerland was 70,400 in 2025, down 14.9% from 82,800 in 2024, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). 204,300 people immigrated and 133,800 emigrated. Net migration accounted for about 92% of population growth.

Immigration fell 3.9% and emigration rose 3.1%. The most common nationalities among immigrants were German (12.9%), Swiss (11.3%), French (10.1%) and Italian (9.1%). The FSO notes that emigrations are often registered with some delay, so final figures can exceed provisional ones.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO)

What share of Switzerland's population are immigrants?

31.1%: that is the share of people born abroad in Switzerland for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 28.8% in 2015. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.7%, and Switzerland placed 5th highest of 52. Worldwide: 15th of 193.

How many people move to Switzerland each year?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Switzerland at 37,253 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 96,424; its low point was 2005, at 33,203. Europe & Central Asia median: 158; Switzerland is 8th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 24th highest.

How many refugees live in Switzerland?

208,287: that is the number of refugees in the country in Switzerland for 2025, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 62,365, and Switzerland placed 10th highest of 50. Worldwide: 33rd of 169.

How many refugees come from Switzerland?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Switzerland at 6 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 38; its low point was 2021, at 0. It is 46th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 533. World rank, highest first: 180th of 189.

How big are remittances in Switzerland's economy?

0.4% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Switzerland for 2025, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 0.5% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 0.4% of GDP. It is 38th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.4% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 100th of 127.